Chapter 38: Chapter 38

AN : Bonus Chapter for the 100+ power stones.

Hyuga Clan Compound

After leaving the Ninja Academy, Hinata dashed all the way home, barely slowing her pace.

She clutched her report card tightly, paused at the gate to catch her breath, and then walked into the courtyard with deliberate care.

In the Hyuga Clan, rules and decorum were paramount; if she had barged in running, she’d surely have been scolded.

“Father.”

Hinata arrived outside the study where Hyuga Hiashi resided.

“Come in,” came a firm, commanding voice.

Sliding open the shoji door, Hinata removed her shoes and stepped inside.

“What is it?”

Hiashi sat cross-legged on the tatami, a book resting in his hand, his posture perfectly poised.

“The monthly exams are finished… and the results have come out.”

Hinata approached and knelt before him, tucking her pale feet neatly beneath her as etiquette demanded.

“What place did you take?”

Hiashi asked in a measured tone, though a flicker of curiosity touched his eyes.

He knew Class 1-A well—it was a veritable gathering of prodigies and clan heirs, a place brimming with geniuses.

Many of Konoha’s prominent clans had children in that class, and among them was Uchiha Sasuke—the younger brother of the famed genius, Uchiha Itachi.

Hiashi exhaled a silent sigh.

The Hyuga Clan, too, had its genius: Hyuga Neji. But Neji belonged to the branch family.

As for Hinata… Hiashi had long since ceased placing his hopes on her.

Especially after the birth of Hyuga Hanabi.

By clan tradition, only one member from each generation would inherit the main family status; the others would bear the Caged Bird Seal and join the branch family.

Either Hinata or Hanabi would eventually be relegated to that fate.

The Caged Bird Seal wasn’t merely a safeguard to prevent the Byakugan’s secrets from leaking—it was also a powerful means for the main house to exert control over the branch.

“Father, please look.”

Hinata held out her report card, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Hiashi accepted the paper and scanned the results.

His stoic expression faltered, surprise rippling across his usually impassive face.

’First place?’

For an instant, he looked genuinely rattled.

This result was beyond anything he’d anticipated. In truth, it had never even crossed his mind that Hinata could achieve such a rank.

Noticing the rare shock in her father’s eyes, Hinata felt her heart lift with a warm, giddy joy.

’Father’s… surprised because of me.’

“Hinata,” Hiashi finally said after reading every line, “You’ve done well. You’ve brought honor to the Hyuga Clan.”

“Thank you, Father!”

A dazzling smile spread across Hinata’s face. It was the first time she’d ever heard such praise from him, and she practically glowed with happiness.

“How did you manage to take first place?”

Hiashi asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It was thanks to Kitazawa-sensei’s help.”

Hinata answered truthfully, her voice brimming with quiet pride.

’Kitazawa…’

Hiashi fell silent, pondering the name.

He recalled that Ko, the guard he’d assigned to secretly protect Hinata, had filed reports mentioning Kitazawa.

He remembered, in particular, how Kitazawa had once stepped in to defend Hinata from bullies.

“It seems he’s a good teacher.”

Hiashi nodded, his tone reserved but not dismissive.

“Yes.”

Hinata replied earnestly, “Kitazawa-sensei is incredible!”

’What’s so incredible about a mere Chunin?’

Hiashi privately scoffed, though he kept his thoughts hidden.

At best, the man might be a decent teacher.

“Kitazawa-sensei taught me tree climbing,” Hinata continued, her eyes shining. “He said it helps improve chakra control…”

Hiashi blinked, studying his daughter as she spoke.

’Is this really my daughter?’

In the past, Hinata would barely manage five words in his presence without trembling.

Yet here she was—talkative, animated, and filled with an eager light he’d never seen before.

It was as if a different person stood before him.

All of this… it traced back to Kitazawa.

Hiashi sat there quietly, emotions swirling beneath his calm exterior.

’If only it weren’t too late…’

With Hanabi already born, the tragic cycle that once tore him and his brother Hizashi apart might soon repeat itself.

Hiashi’s chest tightened at the thought.

—

Kitazawa left the Ninja Academy, stepping out into the bustling streets of Konoha.

As he walked, he sighed inwardly. ’It’s good to have a powerful backer.’

Whether it was his being chosen to write the thirty exam questions, or Hyuga Hinata being named the outstanding student representative, it was all thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi pulling strings behind the scenes.

Privileges were nice—but Kitazawa was well aware that all of it hinged on his status as a sensei, and more importantly, on his connection to Uzumaki Naruto.

When it came right down to it, he held no real influence in Konoha.

“Strength… That’s what matters most.”

Kitazawa continued walking, thoughts churning over his various missions.

The task involving Hyuga Hinata’s one-on-one fight with Toranosuke could be completed after her upcoming speech. Hinata’s abilities far surpassed Toranosuke’s; as long as she could shed her timid personality, victory was practically guaranteed.

The mission to ensure Mizuki ended up in prison, however, was on hold for the moment. There simply wasn’t a good opportunity yet—and picking a fight with Mizuki might escalate into an all-out brawl.

Although Kitazawa had learned plenty of ninjutsu, his chakra reserves were average. He’d be exhausted after just a couple of serious jutsu.

’I need to get stronger…’

The key lay in the mission to learn Naruto’s Sexy Jutsu. Mastering it would earn him a reward of one-tenth of a card’s worth of chakra capacity.

Developing the Sexy Jutsu itself wasn’t the hard part. The problem was that doing so would completely destroy his reputation as the upright, respectable teacher—and could even incur Hiruzen’s displeasure.

Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

’Is there anyone… who could take the fall for me?’

He mulled it over, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

’Of course. Kakashi Hatake.’

The more Kitazawa thought about it, the more perfect the idea seemed.

First, Kakashi definitely had the skill to develop the technique.

Second, he was already notorious as a fan of “Make-Out Paradise” and wasn’t above using ridiculous jutsu like the Thousand Years of Death.

Third, he came from a prestigious background, so Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn’t likely punish him even if things went sideways.

Deciding on the spot, Kitazawa turned down a side street and made his way to Kakashi’s house.

’I hope he’s home…’

He stepped forward and knocked.

A few moments later, the door opened to reveal Kakashi Hatake himself—silver hair spiked as always, most of his face concealed by his mask, one lazy eye staring out.

“Kakashi, I need your help with something,” Kitazawa said, lowering his voice. “And… you can’t tell anyone about it.”

Kakashi tilted his head slightly. “Are you defecting?”

Kitazawa nearly fell over. “Of course not! That’s slander!” he sputtered. “I have only one sun in my heart—and that’s Hokage-sama!”

“So what’s this secret of yours?” Kakashi asked, his expression unreadable behind his mask.

“Do you know Uzumaki Naruto?” Kitazawa asked, steering back to the point.

“What kind of question is that?” Kakashi’s eye glinted with sudden sharpness.

Not only did he know Naruto—he’d been quietly watching over him since before the boy was even born.

“I’m teaching at the Ninja Academy now,” Kitazawa explained. “Naruto’s one of my students.”

Kakashi blinked. “Okay… and?”

Kitazawa leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Naruto’s working on developing a new jutsu based on the Transformation.” He sighed. “But I’m just an ordinary chunin—I don’t have the talent for creating new techniques. You understand, right?”

Kakashi’s visible eyebrow twitched. “He’s developing his own jutsu… at six years old?”

But then he remembered who Naruto’s father was: Minato Namikaze. The Fourth Hokage had created the Rasengan, a masterpiece of chakra form manipulation.

’Like father, like son…’ Kakashi thought, sighing inwardly.

“You’re Konoha’s Copy Ninja. Our number-one genius,” Kitazawa said sincerely. “This is right up your alley. Will you help?”

“Don’t call me ’number-one genius.’” Kakashi rolled his visible eye. Then, after a short pause, he added, “I’m free tomorrow. Bring Naruto to see me.”

Though he’d long sealed his heart away from attachments, he couldn’t refuse the son of his beloved sensei.

——————————-

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